Re-wiring my 60 CdV

[Hayden P]

As my restoration continues - I am contemplating re-wiring the Kaddy.

I have seen great reviews on American Autowire... Has anyone used this product ... Or are there better / more appropriate wiring harnesses. I am not doing a 100point concours ... So not fussed about originality.

[Quentin Hall]

Heyden, You probably need to look at staying with a 60 harness otherwise you will have the dilema of the replacemnet harness needing multiple changes to suit and with most auto elecs charging $80/100 ph you can easily come off second best very quickly. Why don't you just sit down with your old harness and a test light and a wiring diagram and replace the broken wires with same colour wire and retape it ? You will be surprised that a few "free" hours will achieve a lot. A new harness will be $2000 up.   Have a talk to Paul at Vintage Wiring Harnesses in Vic. He is reasonable and there close. I knew he cleaned up a mate's 59 Eldo harness so he may have a wiring jig.   

[Grant Owen]

Hayden, repair you loom like Quentin says, the terminals are easy to get & you can clean the connectors easily. If you use anything after market or custom will result in endless nightmares frustration & extra expense.
Do not alter change the Resistor wire ( The White wire that is joined to the yellow wire going to the Coil ) if you change this or alter it use an external resistor.

[Hayden P]

Thanks guys. Any tips on best places to get new terminals to suit ?

I have shot off an email to Vintage Wiring to ask about their services.

[The Tassie Devil(le)]

I can tell you that Holden Spare Parts in Australia doesn't stock the replacement male and female inserts any more, but I think they may be available through Ashdown.

Talk to your local Auto Electrician, and they may be able to assist.

One thing I do is try and pick up all the pre-80's wiring looms from Holdens and other GM vehicles I see in the Wreckers, and strip the looms down for the wiring.
 
This way, I get the correct Colour Coded wiring, terminals and plastic covers for a myriad of uses later on.   These parts are especially handy when repairing bad wiring, and doing RHD Conversions.

It is easy to repair a damaged wire in a loom by stripping it back, joining the replacement wire, with the original terminal, and then hiding the joint within the wiring wrapping.   In most cases I join by soldering, then individually wrap the joint before completely wrapping.

Bruce.

[Dan LeBlanc]

Tryw www.wiringharnesss.com - you can get everything from the dash forward for a reasonable amount in the correct colour coded wiring.  If you need a dash harness, you need to send them your original fuse box and bulkhead connector.

[60eldo]

   I just went through what you are going through,,I have a spare 1960 harness if ur interested, front to back, let me know if that helps

[Hayden P]

60Eldo. I am yet to pull mine out fully. Just out of interest - what condition is yours in - and how much would you want for it ? Just looking at all my options. Need to cost em all. Thanks !

[curly]

I used american autowire to rewire my 59 Chevy truck. It was a dedicated kit, not a generic.  I did option it out with connectors for a more modern steering column. I  have also used painless wiring for some other projects.  American Autowire is hands down the better option. A little more $$, but very complete and terrific instructions.


T Lewis